Derby Winning Trainer Eric Reed and Jockey's Agent Jeff Perrin
May 12, 2022
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Only one podcast featured trainer Eric Reed BEFORE the Kentucky Derby – Winninponies. After the Run for the Roses, Eric stopped his State Trooper escort to come over to our host John Engelhardt. Giving each other a big bearhug, Eric said, “My Man! I’ll be on your show this week too.” A man of his word, no matter how swamped he is with the media camped out along the entrance to his Mercury Training Facility, he will be our first guest. It's only a short time before movie producers are wrestling over the rights to “The Rich Strike Story.” We’ll let Eric describe his early years with his wife Kay and the building blocks to their success at blue-collar tracks to the creation of their Mercury Training Facility, the tragic fire where they lost 23 horses, and the shot in the arm they got from horsemen around to country to rebuild their facility. Oh yes, there’s a great story about winning the Kentucky Derby Eric needs to tell us about too! This year’s Kentucky Derby was a point in time for the spotlight to shine on many of “the little guys” that make the racing game a great one. Our second guest will be making a return appearance, Jeff Perrin is the agent for Derby winning jockey Sonny Leon. Relatively an unknown until Saturday, Leon, 32, is a native of Venezuela and rides regularly in Ohio at Belterra Park and Mahoning Valley where he has earned multiple riding titles. The Kentucky Derby was Leon’s first graded stakes win. Since coming to the United States in 2015, Leon has won 770 races from 5,176 mounts with purse earnings of more than $15 million. Jeff Perrin is an interesting story in himself. A native of Australia, we’ll learn how he became involved in the sport and his years long relationship with Sonny.
Winning Ponies
Thursday at 5 PM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
On the show we will talk about the Sport of Kings. We will delve into the different features of the WinningPonies.com website. John Engelhardt will talk about the issues of the day that affect horse racing, such as synthetic surfaces, medication rule changes, the fate of the industry as a whole, VLTs and Casinos, and human interest stories of triumph and defeat. You will also hear our spot play of the week, where John will handicap the feature races for the upcoming weekend, and will give out his best plays. We will keep you abreast racing’s big events. Featured on the show will be guests (trainers, jockeys, owners, celebrity handicappers and industry insiders). Promotional giveaways will be featured, such as brand merchandise and free WinningCredits.
"Winning Ponies" is broadcast live every Thursday at 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel.
John Engelhardt
You may recognize him as "Racing's Regular Guy." For ten years, John Engelhardt hosted the informative and sometimes irreverent handicapping show from his base at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio. He developed a passion for thoroughbred racing as a youngster at Saratoga, and has been able to make his love of the sport his life's calling.
Engelhardt, a native of Syracuse, New York is a graduate of the University of Dayton. His professional career in racing began as the track photographer at Beulah Park in 1983 and he has worked in racing ever since. John produced "The Stretch Run" for eight years, which aired on the CBS affiliate WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. For four years Engelhardt co-hosted "The Regular Guy Handicapping Show on HOMER 1530-AM in Cincinnati with former "Winning Ponies" host Ed Meyer.
John served as the President of the Turf Publicists of America in 2009 and 2010, after serving several years as the Midwest Vice-President of that organization. He is currently a consultant for Pinnacle Entertainment handling publicity, public relations, marketing, advertising and special events for River Downs. Under the "nom-de-course" of Heart of an Angel Stable, he has bred and owned thoroughbreds for 18 years.
"Racing's Regular Guy" has been exposed to racing on many levels and greets the sport with enthusiasm and well-rounded knowledge. Tune in Thursdays at 5PM PT, as he welcomes nationally recognized guests, who will help you find those "Winning Ponies.”
